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Top young auctioneers

Four of the eight finalists in the Australian Livestock and Property Agents (ALPA) young auctioneers’ competition will be wearing the iconic pink shirt in the finals on April 6. The Land spoke with our four finalists to find out how they are preparing and what drives them to succeed.

Elders is proud to have some of the best young auctioneers in the country and wish each of our finalists all the best in the competition. We are committed to providing career opportunities to build the next generation of industry experts.

Zac Ede, 26, Elders SconeSCONE’S Zac Ede, has found his place with the Elders team as the territory livestock sales manager and has now racked up four years of selling experience.

With his childhood beginning on a dairy and beef farm on the Mid North Coast, Zac spent his early days pacing the saleyards with his father before walking the lines at the Scone saleyards.

Zac has his eye on the big prize in Sydney this year after getting a taste of an adrenaline rush at the 2015 Sydney Royal Show when he auctioned the grand champion steer.

With a bit of extra selling experience in the recent months Zac said he hopes it will give him both extra versatility at the 2017 competition.

His immediate career goal is to take out the top gong at the auctioneers’ competition, but most importantly to build a reputation as a respected agent.

Jack Coleman, 25, Elders Jamestown

A COMBINATION of rising through the ranks since he was 17 and a stern word from his mother has set Jack on a path to becoming the livestock manager for Elders.

After eight years of commitment to the industry and displaying traits of a talented auctioneer, Jack has also found himself in the unlikely place of the horse racing box when he was approached to call the Yunta Picnic Races last year.

“I have a passion for the industry but I became an agent because my mother told me I couldn’t leave school unless I had a job – somebody suggested to me that Elders would be a good place and I have never looked back since then,” Jack said.

“The feedback from vendors are a great part too, it gives you confidence to build your ambitions.”

Dean Coddington, 25, Elders Keith

ORIGINALLY from Temora, Dean found his way to Elders at Wagga Wagga before heading to Keith in south-east South Australia to pursue his livestock auctioneering dream.

Dean said although his career dream was to become an auctioneer, as time has gone on, his focus has switched to performing for his clients and offering them a service which is different from the rest.

Choosing to make the big move away from his father, a well-known agent, was not an easy decision however when a local mentor and inspirational figure sat Mr Dean down “for a talk”, if was much clearer.

“He sat me down and put me on the straight and narrow – I didn’t really want to leave home but he said you need to leave and make a name for yourself or else you will only be known as your father’s son,” Dean said.

Toby Newnham, 25, Elders Swan Hill

HAVING his father, a well-known livestock agent, as his mentor and inspiration has helped Toby reach great personal heights in his role as territory sales manager.

Selling for two and half years, this budding auctioneer’s ultimate career highlight came in the form of the Hay September sheep sale, with Toby labelling it the “Holy Grail”.

“It’s a great combination of a huge crowd and the best of best sheep in the pens as well,” Toby said.

“But it was extra special because my father had just retired after 30 years and I had the opportunity to stand over his clients stock and sell to a massive crowd – it was incredible and a very memorable sale.”

Hoping to take a few tips from Elders auctioneer, Dick Douglas, Deniliquin, to the Sydney competition, Toby is hoping to get all his experience together from start to finish and critique himself as best as he can before the big day.

“I am definitely focused on getting new clients because selling stock is not just our job, but it’s their bread and butter – that’s what pays their bills and it’s their life,” Toby said.